Different Forms of Visual Communication

Visual communication is the way of communicating through a visual aid and it refers to the presentation of information through visible mediums like images or text. The images or text used in visual communication helps in entertaining, enlightening, persuading, and informing the audience. Almost every business today uses visual techniques to present their information as it helps it to be understood and accepted by all kinds of audiences very easily. There are plenty of advantages of visual communication in business. Now that you know what visual communication is, let us also get to learn about the different forms of visual communication.

1. Overhead Transparencies/Projector Slides

Overhead transparencies/projector slides that are displayed on the OHP (overhead projector) are one of the most popular forms of visual communication aid that are used in web seminar and lecture rooms. Using the OHP you can project and also enlarge your slides onto any wall or screen and you need not even dim the lights of the room for the purpose. Slides in such cases can be produced in three ways – spontaneously produced slides that are written while you speak so as to illustrate your points, pre-prepared slides that are images or words that are drawn or handwritten or created using the computer, and a combination of these two.

2. Memos

Memos are used by many companies as a form of visual communication on paper or electronically. In either way, these memos help in transporting details back and forth between groups and individuals. Crucial information like changes in company's procedures or policies, updates on the financial status of the company, or other important messages can be conveyed using memos.

3. Blackboard or whiteboard

Black or whiteboards are yet another form of visual communication that is used to explain ideas. You can use them to record or key point or clarify your title when you are introducing your presentation. Instead of expecting your team members or audience to understand your description, it will be better to write it on the board step by step, including any important step that you want your team to take note of. Virtual whiteboard tools like that offered by ezTalks can prove to be very helpful for you. You need not necessarily erase what you have written as you would have to do while using a physical whiteboard, and can instead save it for future reference of your team members.

4. Videos

Videos are also a popular form of visual communication that can serve as training aids and the medium to introduce new products to the entire company. An introductory training video can be created by the HR department, which can be used as for fresh employee orientation. Training videos can be created by other departments as well to help the employees. Free screen recording software can help you create these videos with minimal effort that can be shared with all the employees. When any new service or product is introduced a video helps to let the whole company know about it, and at the same time answer any questions that the employees may have.

5. Slide Presentations

Slide presentations are usually created using presentation tool like ezTalks to run along with the text of some important company meeting. Slide presentations add a visual element to meetings which helps the employees understand the subject matter of the meeting in a much easier and better way, and prevents their minds from wandering here and there. For instance, when in a meeting the sales of last year are being compared with that of the present year, graphs and charts can be used in the slide presentation to help people understand the comparison better.

6. Paper Handouts

Handouts can prove to be very helpful. If you have information to provide that is too big to fit well on a slide then you can use a handout to offer your audience or team members full details of what you want to share. However, handouts must be given at the right time. If you pass the handouts too early then they can serve as a distraction, if too late then the audience already may have taken unnecessary notes, and if in the middle then your audience will be busy reading rather than listening. So, you must pass these handouts only during the important stages of your presentation.

7. Print

This is an important means of visual communication which is used by organizations, events, and businesses. Brochures, flyer templates, and posters are examples of visual communication that are immensely popular and have been used on various occasions. The print is not used to educate but to inform. The content on print generally informs about the schedule, service, and events.

All forms of visual communications are important and almost every company uses it in different unique ways to stand out in the crowd, to reach new heights, and to increase their profits. So, now that you too are aware of the different forms of visual communication, start using them to your benefit without delay.